Kate’s Everest trek: Reaching new heights for hospice care
Kate and her sister, Beth, with their dad, Nicholas
In March 2026, 22-year-old Kate Jordan from Herne Bay will take on the adventure of a lifetime – trekking to Everest Base Camp in support of Pilgrims Hospices.
Kate is joining Team Pilgrims to challenge herself, raise vital funds for local hospice care, and celebrate her dad, Nicholas, who was cared for by Pilgrims in 2020.
Nicholas bravely battled mesothelioma for 10 months before he passed away. Throughout his illness, Pilgrims provided exceptional care, ensuring he was comfortable and supported, while also offering guidance and compassion to Kate and her family, which has continued ever since. Pilgrims remains incredibly close to Kate’s heart, so when she spotted the charity’s Everest Base Camp challenge, it immediately caught her eye.
“To be completely honest, I found the Everest trek by chance; I was looking on the Pilgrims website to see if they had any fun events coming up and saw it and thought ‘Wow, that looks cool’, and then 30 minutes later I’d paid my deposit! I think it will be the most incredible mental and physical challenge, an opportunity that’s so hard to pass up, and I am just so extremely excited! I feel grateful to take on the challenge with people who have a connection to the hospice and to keep raising money!”
Reflecting on her father’s time with Pilgrims, Kate shared:
“My dad spent his last few days resting comfortably in the Thanet hospice, with the amazing staff making sure that his closest family could be there with him as much as possible right until the end. My dad was the most hilarious man with his dry sense of humour; he gave me and my sister a childhood full of love and happy memories, and even five years after he left, I still feel that I am learning valuable lessons from him.”
Since then, Kate and her sister have hosted three annual charity quiz nights in support of Pilgrims, and Kate has also taken on a tandem skydive. Now, she’s preparing for her biggest adventure yet – reaching the base camp of the world’s tallest mountain.
“I think one of the most wholesome things about Everest is that everyone has some connection to Pilgrims Hospices, and I like to think that the higher the altitude, the closer we will feel to our loved ones. When I think about the day we reach base camp, it gives me goosebumps! I have already met some of the lovely people I will be taking on the trek with, and it’s made this even more real and exciting! I can’t wait for the no doubt breathtaking views, to learn about the culture, and to prove to myself that if I put my mind to it, I can do it!”
Training for the trek is already well underway for Kate, and she’s loved meeting others who share her connection to Pilgrims. Building friendships and sharing stories has made preparing for the adventure even more meaningful:
“The people I’ve met so far have been nothing but lovely, and that includes all the fundraising staff! I completed the 25km Pilgrims Way Challenge with five others from Base Camp and we had such a giggle! It was so nice sharing stories about our lives whilst remembering our loved ones who we’ve lost.”
“I would say to anyone considering Base Camp, just do it! This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity, and if I’ve learnt anything over these past five years, it’s that life is way too short, and you don’t know what’s around the corner – so get that sign up form and take the chance! My family definitely think I’m nuts for doing this, but they’re also the most supportive and loving family, and I know if my dad was here today he would be calling me crazy but he would also be very proud, and that’s the reason I am doing it.”
Sophie Howland, Events Fundraiser at Pilgrims Hospices, said:
“Kate is taking on an incredible challenge to support local hospice care. Her courage, positivity and determination is truly inspiring, and every step she takes will make a real difference for local families. We’re so proud of her and can’t wait to cheer her on all the way to Base Camp.”
Feeling inspired?
In March 2026, Kate and other Pilgrims supporters will set out on a 16-day adventure through the Himalayas to the foot of Mount Everest, including an 11-day trek to the iconic Everest Base Camp. Along the way, they’ll pass through ancient Sherpa villages, witness spectacular sunrises over snow-capped peaks, and take in breathtaking views from Kala Patthar – all while raising vital funds to support hospice care across east Kent.
Led by an experienced UK Mountain Leader and supported by local experts, this is a once in a lifetime journey that will test both mind and body, create unforgettable memories, and bring together people connected by a shared purpose.
Places for this incredible challenge are limited, and registration closes on 12 December 2025.
Find out more and sign up today at pilgrimshospices.org/everest.
